Electrical switch



A118- 26, 1952 w. P. GALLAGHER Er AL 2,608,631

ELECTRICAL SWITCH Y original Filed oct. e, 1947 mma- Patented Aug. 26,1952 ELECTRICAL SWITCH William ncauagher ana can Weber, chicago, i Ill.,assignors to International Register Company, Chicago, Ill., acorporation of Illinois Original application October 6, 1947, Serial No.778,104. Divided and this application April 8, 1949, Serial No. 86,324 ll The present invention relates to electrical switches of1 generalutility type, such as may be used for controllingdll or 220 voltheating, lighting or power circuits.

The present application is divisional of our copending application,Serial No. 778,104, filed October 6, 1947, which is directed primarilyto an improved automatic timing mechanism for controlling the heatingcircuits of electric stoves, electrical ovens and the like. In thatearlier application, we disclosed the present electrical switch as beingresponsiveto the automatic timing controls for closing and opening theheating circuit of the stove at preselected times. While the presentelectrical switch was devised particularly for use in that automatictiming mechanism, and functions very satisfactorily in that mechanism',the switch is not limited to such use.

One of the objects of the invention is to prof vide a simple,inexpensiveelectrical switch which will produce a relatively large,quick-opening movement of the switch .contacts in response to arelatively small range` `of movement of the switch actuator. In-thevabove mentioned automatic timer for electric stoves 'and the like, theactuating motion is imparted or translated from the timing controlsltothe switch assemblies through a multiple stepirotating cam. Our improvedswitch is uniquelyadapted to this cam type of operation, butis notnecessarily limited thereto. i r;

Another object of the-invention is to provide a utility switch of theabove general type which is extremely simple and inexpensive t0assemble.

In arriving at a low cost of production, the item of cost of assemblycan be just as important, or more important, than cost of materials, orcost of fabrication into switch parts. Our improved construction ofswitch can be quickly `and easily assembled intoa complete,self-contained unit which can be stocked as such, and `thereafterassembled in the general assembly with the automatic timing mechanism.`

Other objects, features'and advantages of the invention will appear fromthe following detailed description of one preferred embodiment thereof,In the accompanyingdrawlng illustrating such embodiment:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating our improved switch onan enlarged scale, and showing the switch actuating cam in dotted lines;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal, sectional view through the switch assembly,taken approximately on the plane of the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

i4 claims. (01.200-153) Figure 3 is a detail, sectional View taken hori-Zontally on the plane of the line 3 3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a detail, sectional view taken vertically on the plane ofthe line 4--4 of' Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary, detail View corresponding to a section takenapproximately on the plane of the line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary, plan view illustrating the actuating cam ingreater detail; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary, detail view of a modified construction ofswitch blade.

The switch is assembled upon a base plate H8 composed of any suitableinsulating material.

`In accordance with the'disclosure in ourprior application, Serial No.778,104, we have shown the switch as `being actuated by a rotatable oroscillatable cam |22 mounted upon a switch actuating shaft III. This camis shown as having four switch actuatingpositions formed in itsperiphery, viz.a` cam valley |54 for closing the switch, a cam hump|5`5for opening the switch, a cam valley |56 for closing the switch, anda cam hump |51 'for opening the switch. Riding on these camfformationsisi a cam following pin |59 which projects laterally from the end of aswitch actuatingplate or slide bar IBI. It will be understood that otheroperating mechanisms may be employed for actuating the switch. Forexample, any appropriate operating instrumentality can be employed whichwill impart motion to thepin |59 comparable to that imparted by the cam|22.

The switch actuating plate or slide bar |6| is composed of insulatingmaterial, such as Bakelite and is mounted for endwisze reciprocatingmotion parallel to the surface of the base plate IIB, but spacedslightly therefrom. The switch actuating shaft passes down through alongitudinal slot |62 in the plate or slide bar |6|, and establishes apoint of guidance for guiding the to and fro motion of the plate |61.Referring to Figure 2, the lower end of the shaft ||I has a reducedportion ||6 which is seated in a bearing ferrule |l'l set into theinsulating base plate ||8 ofthe electric switch. The shaft can rotate inthis bearing-.ferrule ||1, andin the aforementioned adaptation to anautomatic timing mechanisml the-shaft could tilt slightly in thisbearing ferrule. -This'ferrule comprises an a boss portion |I1c, andwith a retaining iiange ||1cZ projecting from the upper portion thereof.The boss portion bears against the top oi. the base plate IIS, and theannular retaining fiange guides or coniines the yoke to which thetension springs are connected, as will be later described.

The slide plate |51 has T-shaped cross arms 63 projecting outwardly tothe sides and overlying the movable switch blades. These switch blades,designated |S4, are of angular or sub stantially L-shaped formationcarrying movable contacts |65 on the inward sides of their outwardlydiverging ends Ia. These movable contacts |85 are adapted to engage withstationary contacts |56 carried by stationary terminals |51 Yrectangular openings in the base plate i8 and secured to the insulatingbase plate'of the-switch. Y

The switch blades are adapted to have rocking movement about the outercorners iii of terminal blocks |58. The inside corner angle |1| at theangle bend'of each blade has rocking movef ment on such shoulder edge|58 of its companion terminal kblock itt". Current is conducted to themovable switch blade `through this terminal block |68 and through thisrocking edge contact established at |68 -|1'|.

projecting from'the cross arms |53. When the switch actuating plate orslide bar I6! is shifted to the right, motion is transmitted through thehumps |12 to the inwardly extending arms |6419 of the switch blades forrocking theblades to open circuit positions.

Tongues |14v punched inwardly from the outer arms '|5405 of the switch.blades serve as attachment hooks to which the 'outer ends of tensionsprings |15 are connected. These tongues alsov function as guiding andretaining elements for the Vswitch blades by extending into U-shapedguide spaces |16 formed in the outer surfaces of the terminal blocks|68, asishown in Figures 3 and 4. Similar U-shaped guideways |18 areVformed in theinner sides or edges of the terminal blocks |63 forreceiving guide wings `|19 projecting from the plate itl Thisarrangement vestablishes lateral guidance'for'the left hand end of theplate IGI. The inner ends'of the tension springs |15 are hooked tohoolrends on an 'insulating yoke 18| which Vhas rockable bearing contactagainst the boss portion ||1c under the coniining hange Hl'd of thebushing or ferrule 'i I1. The tension springs |15 perform the two- 'foldfunction of normally holding the .movable switch contacts |65 pressediirmly against the stationary switch contacts |66, and also of holdingthe corner angles `|1|'of the switch blades pressed firmly against thecorner edges |58 of the terminal blocks |68 foreffective currentconduction through these lines of rocking contacts. The T-shaped crossarmsA `|63 of the switch actuating slide plate |6| areformed withdownwardly l turned sloping-ends |63 which perform the twofold function'of stop members for limiting the outward swinging movement ofthecurrent conducting legs Itllc of the lswitch blades, as indicated indotted lines, and lwhich also serve as i The inwardly bent c arms |66?)of the blades bear against A,humps .|12

conning members for preventing accidentaloutare headed or crimped overon the under side thereof, as indicated at |81 in Figure 4. Threadedbores ISS extend upwardly through each of these terminal blocks forreceiving terminal screws adapted to be inserted into the terminalblocks from the back side of theA base plate |3 for connectingconductors to these terminal blocks. The construction illustratedaffords a single throw, double pole switch, but it will be understoodthat the invention might also be embodied in a single throw, single poleswitch, or even in a double throw switch. f

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 3, the tongues |14 Aare punchedout of the switch blades with .the free ends of the tongues pointingtoward the switch actuating legs |645 of the switch blades. In thealternative construction illustrated in Figure 7, this is reversed sothat the free end of the tongue |14 is bent inwardly toward the currentconducting leg Hita of the switch blade.

With regard to Athe assembly of this improved switch, it will be seenthat no screws, rivets, or other fastening devices are necessary forholding the switch plate ll, switch blades Itri, springs |15, .or AyokevIt! in assembled relation. One simplified method .of assembling theseparts is to place the yoke IBI :under the retaining iiange lid, connectthe spring |15 from this yoke to the tongues '|14 of the switch blades,and then temporarily place the switch blades in outwardly disposedpositions. with the actuating arms |645 bearing yon the rockeredgesvlt,and spaced outwardly sufficiently to permit the guide Wings |13 to passtherebetween. Thereupon, the switch actuating .plate VISI is `slidinwardly from the left so as to Vhave .the guide wings.` |1| move intothe guide ways |18 in the pivot terminal blocks iit.

:slot |62 iis dropped down over the ferrule shank |1112, therebypreventing lateraldisplacement of the switch plate to the left. Thispractically com-l p'letes Ythe assembiyof the switch; the 'actuatingcamxlzf can be included in the assembly at this time, or atva"later2-staf.,fe when the assembied switch is included inthe timingmechanism.

While we Vhave 'illustrated and described what we regard 'to be thepreferred embodiment of our invention, nevertheless it will beunderstood Vthat such is merely exemplary and that numerousmodicationsand vrearrangements may bev made therein without departing`from the Vessence oi the invention. Y

W e claim:

l.. In lan.. electric switch, the Vcombination Aof a T-shaped actuatingplate of -insulating material, means mounting said plate for endwisereciprocation, a rotary actuating member,` follower means responsive tosaid actuating member for reciprocating said plate, apair of movablecontact blades, one to each side of said actuating plate, said bladescomprising 'bars having inwardly extending actuating ends and angularlyextending 'contact' ends, movable contacts carried by said angularlyextending ccntact'ends, stationary contacts cooperating with saidmovable contacts, stationary Supports'on whi'chsaid contact blades have-rocker mounting, actuating `surfaces ,onsaidji -shaped `actuating plateadapted to engage'said Yactuating ends of said blades and to causerocking movement of said `blades, and spring means :connected with saidblades tending to oppose such latter movement.

Inan electric switch, the combination of a switchblade, a pivot terminaltherefor, saidblade comprising two angularly extending portions definingan inside corner angle therebetween, said inside corner angle havingrockable pivoting engagement against said pivot terminal, a movablecontact carried by one of said angularly extend- Ving portions of saidswitch` blade, a stationary contact adapted to be engaged by saidmovable contact, spring means normally holding said contacts closed, anda slide bar switch actuator adapted to press against the other of saidangularly extending portions in a direction toward said pivot terminalfor actuating said switch blade through the other of said angularlyextending portions.

3.'In a switch, the combination ofa switch blade, a pivot terminaltherefor having a fulcrum edge, said blade being Substantially l.-shaped comprising two angularly extending portions defining an insidecorner angle therebetween, said inside corner angle having rockablepivot mounting againstsaid fulcrum edge of the pivot terminal, a movablecontact carried by one of said angularly extending portions of saidswitch blade, a stationary contact adapted to be engaged by said movablecontact, spring means holding said inside corner angle pressed againstsaid fulcrum edge and also normally holding said contacts closed, saidinside corner angle and fulcrum edge establishing a current conductingpath between said pivot terminal and said switch blade, and a slide bartype of actuating means operative to apply pressure to the other of saidangularly extending portions for actuating said switch blade to opencircuit position.

4. In a switch, the combination of a switch blade, a pivot terminalthereforcomprisin'g a fulcrum edge, said blade being substantially L-shaped comprising two angularly extending portions deiining an insidecorner angle'therebetween, said inside corner angle having rockablepivoting engagement against said fulcrum edge, a movable contact carriedby one of the angularly extending portions of said switch blade, astationary contact adapted to be engaged by said movable contact, springmeans holding said inside corner angle pressed against said fulcrumedge, said inside corner angle and fulcrum edge establishing a currentconducting path between said switch blade and said pivot terminal, andactuating means operative to apply pressure to the other of saidangularly extending portions for actuating said switch blade.

5. In a switch, the combination of a switch blade, a fulcrum terminaltherefor comprising a fulcrum edge, said blade comprising a currentconducting arm and a switch actuating arm extending at an angle to eachother to deiine a corner angle therebetween, the inner surface oi. saidcorner angle having rockable engagement against the fulcrum edge of saidfulcrum terminal, a movable contact carried by said current conductingarm, a stationary contact adapted to be engaged by said movable contact,and reciprocable switch actuating means operable to transmit areciprocable switch actuating motion to said actuating arm, saidreciprocable switch actuating means comprising stop means for limitingthe outward swinging movement of said current conducting arm.

6. In a switch, the combination of a switch actuating slide bar having apair of laterally extending arms, a pair of switch assemblies actuatedby said pair of arms, each of said switch assemblies comprising a switchblade, a fulcrum terminal therefor havinga 'fulcrum edge, said bladeYcomprising two angularly extending portions deiining acorner'angletherebetweengsaid corner angle having rockablef fulcrum`engagement againstthe fulcrum edge of said terminal, a movable contactcarriedbysaid'switch blade, a stationary contact 'adapted to be engagedwith said movable contact, said pair of 4laterallyextending arms on saidswitch' actuating slide bar beingarranged `to transmit switch openingmotion to said pair of blades, and tension springs connected withsaidp'air of switch blades serving to hold said contacts closed, saidblades pulled into fulcrum engagement against said fulcrum edges, andsaid slide bar shifted to one position.

rI. In a switch, thev combination of a T-shaped switch actuating platemounted for endwise shifting movement, a pair of substantially L-shapedswitch blades adjacentthe sides of said plate and arranged to beactuated by the cross arms of said T-shape'd plate, afulcrum terminalfor each switch blade, each bladecomprisingan inside angle portionadapted to have rockable fulcrum engagement against saidfulcrumterminal, the cross arms of said T-shaped plate exerting switchactuating pressure against said blades in a direction to hold saidinside 'angle portion pressed against said fulcrumterminal-an'd contactscontrolled by said switch blades.` Y

8. In a switch, the combinationfofa pairA of substantiallyL-shaped'switch blades having movable contact portions,'stationary'contacts adapted to be engaged by said movable "contactportions, a pair of pivot `terminals for saidswitch blades, said switchblades having pivot mounting on said Divot terminals at the inside angleof their ysubstantially L-shaped formation, andHaT-shaped switchactuator mounted forreciproatory movement between said s'witchblades andhaving its cross arms arranged to actuate said switch blades by exertingpressure against said blades in a direction toward said pivot terminals.

9. In a switch, the combination of a pair of substantially L -shapedswitch blades having movable contact portions, stationary contactsadapted to be engaged by said movable contact portions, a pair of pivotterminals for said switch blades, the inside angle of said substantiallyL-shaped switch blades having rockable pivot bearing against said pivotterminals, a T-shaped switch actuating plate mounted for reciprocatorymovement between said switch blades and having its cross arms arrangedto actuate said switch blades, a yoke mounted under said switchactuating plate, and springs operatively connected between said yoke andsaid switch blades tending to move said switch blades to closedposition.

10. In a switch, the combination of a pair of switch blades havingmovable contacts, stationary contacts adapted to be engaged by saidmovable contacts, a pair of pivot terminals for said switch blades, eachof said blades comprising a current conducting armand a switch actuatingarm extending at an angle to each other to define a corner angletherebetween, said corner angle having rockable engagement against saidpivot terminal, and a T-shaped switch actuating plate mounted forreciprocatory movement between said switch blades, said T-shaped switchactuating plate havingits cross arms arranged to transmit switch openingmovement to the switch actuating arms of both blades, and havingangularly projecting ends operative to engage the current 11.V In anelectric switch, the `combination of a switch blade, -a'fulcrum terminaltherefor com" .prising a fulcrum edge, ,said blade Acomprising a currentconducting arm and a switch actuating arm extending 'at y,ani-angle toleach other in a substantially L-'shaped formation to define alcornerangle therebetween, s aid cornerl angle having -rockable engagementagainst the fulcrum edge of said fulcrum terminal, a Aconi-"ming slotformed in said fulcrum terminal, ,a conningflug projecting from saidswitch blade and engaging in said conning slot, and a switch actuatorarranged to transmit switch Aactuating Pressure to said switch actuatingarxn,.s aid :switch actuator comprising confining means for'preventingaccidental displacement'of said confining lugs from saidconfiningslots.

-1'2,.1In a ,-switch, the combinationpof a switch blade,vafulcrumterminal therefor comprising a Vfulcrum Iedg, ,Sad bladecomprising a current conducting ,arm and ,a switch actuating `armextending at an angle to each `other in a subsstantially L-'shapedformation to define a corner angle therebetween, said corner anglehavingrockable .engagement against theL fulcrum edge of said fulcrumlterminala movable-'contact carried by said current :conducting arm, astationary contact adapted to be engaged by said -movable contact, aconning slot formed -in -said fulcrum terminal, a confining lugprojecting from `said switch blade and vengaging l-in said confiningslot, and spring vmeans connected -to said conning 'lug normally tendingtoihold said contacts closed.

13. In a switch, the combination of -a pair of .Switch blades having`movable switch contacts, a pair of stationary switch contacts adaptedto be engaged withsaid movablecontacts, a pair of pivot terminals forsaidswitch -blades havingconning slots formed in `their outer surfacesand guard slots formed Vin their inner surfaces, .said blades havingconfining lugs engaging in said confining slots, and Aa switchactuatingfslide plate having guide wings engaging in said guide slotsandarranged-tcactuate said switchblades.

14. In a switch, the `combinationof a Vrotatable 4switch :actuatingshaft, a ,cam on said shaft, Va lcam followerresponsive to said cam, ,aT-shaped switch actuating plate towhich said cam follower is secured,-said switch actuating plate `having ka guide slottherein through whichsaid shaft extends,.apair of switch blades, said switch blades havingmovable switch contacts adapted to engage with-stationary switchcontacts, separate fulcrum terminals forsaid switch blades, each of saidfulcrum `terminals comprising a fulcrum edge, each -ofsaid ,switchblades comprising a current conducting arm and a switch actuating armextending at an angle to each-other to vdeiine a corner angletherebetween, said corner vangle having rockable engagement against thefulcrum edge .of said fulcrum terminal, said current conducting armcarrying said movable switch contact, the cross r,armsof said T-shapedswitch actuat ing plate being arranged to transmitgswitch openingmotion'to the switch kactuating arms of both switch blades, and springmeans normally ktending to vholdfsaid contacts closed and to hold saidcorner angles pressed against said fulcrum edges. -V -WTLLIAM P.'GALLAGHER CARL WEBER.

REFERENCES .eirnn The following references are of record in the 'die ofthis'patent: f

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name p Date 789,572 AStauifer May 9, 19051,165,192 McMllion Dec. 21, 1915 1,215,807 Huff l Feb. 13, 19171,390,492 Burnham i s Sept. 18, 1921 1,749,200 Van Valkenburg l/lay 4,1930 1,991,718 ,Armstrong j.- Feb. 19, 1935 2,248,362 Krieger July 8,1941

